Grimes looking at summer visits, decision

Mike McAllister

07/02/2014

Doyle Grimes has several schools in pursuit. He discusses decision time frame, visits and more inside.

Homestead (Fla.) South Dade linebacker Doyle Grimes appears to be nearing a decision. That decision will come before his senior season in order to let him focus on football and academics. Several schools are in the mix.

"FIU, FAU, Marshall, Syracuse, West Virginia, Appalachian State, Alcorn State, and that's pretty much it," Grimes said. "I don't really have any favorites. Marshall, Syracuse and West Virginia are talking to me a lot and Appalachian State. All of them really."

Syracuse is a school that has been in hot pursuit of the 6-foot-2 linebacker over the last two months.

"Coach McDonald talks to me a lot," Grimes said. "He's just telling me they really need me up there and that I'm the missing piece. I know I could come in and make a big impact. Most of their linebackers are leaving so I would have an opportunity to play early. So I like that about Syracuse."

West Virginia has also offered Grimes and they have had success in Florida in the past.

"My head coach told me they offered so I've been talking to them since then," he said. "We talk a lot about some of the same things. They want to get up there for a visit and that they need me there."

Marshall continues to make the South Dade standout a priority and he has taken notice.

"Marshall it's the same thing," Grimes said. "I want to visit there but they tell me I'm an important piece of the puzzle for them."

Less than two months before a decision, Grimes says everyone is on equal footing. Visits will be the key to land his services which should take place after the dead period.

"Everyone has a shot right now," Grimes said. "I'm going to take my visits and then make a decision after that. I want to try to visit every school probably in July and August."

Besides early playing time, the most important factor in Grimes' decision will be education. He plans on majoring in engineering.